Info and resources
One-stop-shop for growers
Workforce options
What is it?
This program helps banana farms bring in workers from the Pacific Islands and Timor-Leste. You can hire workers for:
- Short-term work (up to 9 months), or
- Long-term work (1 to 4 years)
Many banana growers are already using PALM workers for harvest, bagging, and farm maintenance.
Where to get help:
- 🌐 Website: www.palmscheme.gov.au
- 📧 Email: [email protected]
- 💬 Talk to your local PALM Regional Coordinator – Nicola Ellery is the contact for Mackay and FNQ, [email protected]
- PALM Scheme Employer information
- You can also contact your labour hire provider.
What is it?
Young travellers (usually called backpackers) from other countries come to Australia to work and travel. They can work on banana farms for up to 6 months.
Why it’s useful:
- Great for short-term jobs during harvest or planting
- No need to be an approved employer
Where to find them:
- 🌐 immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/working-holiday
- 🧑🌾 Job boards like:
What is it?
If you use a labour hire company to bring workers to your farm, they must be licensed. This is to protect both you and the workers.
Where to check:
Make sure your provider is on the list — using an unlicensed provider could lead to fines.
The Queensland Government has regular information and updates via their Labour Hire Licensing e-newsletter.
Subscribe here for information and updates regarding:
- Providers subject to licensing action (includes cancellations and suspensions of labour hire licences),
- General guidance for users of labour hire providers (e.g., for any growers using labour hire providers), and
- Provides a summary of recent successful prosecutions in NQ
Running your business
The Horticulture Award covers employers in the horticulture industry and their employees who fit within the classifications of the award.
| AWARD SUMMARY |
Full details of the award:
| HORT AWARD |
Information, examples (including pay and piece rates) and more:
| AWARD SHOWCASE |
Help new employees quickly become a productive member of your team by following clear and practical onboarding and induction processes.
| BUSINESS QUEENSLAND |
Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) allows visa holders, employers, education providers and other organisations to check visa conditions.
| VISIT VEVO |
Obligations of employers of WHMs (backpackers) holding a Working Holiday visa or Work and Holiday visa.
| VISIT THE ATO |
Farmers’ guide to cybersecurity: terminology, privacy, social media and more
| FIND OUT MORE |
Health and safety guidance and resources for businesses that work with crops, animals, fish or timber; or support another business that does.
Workforce assistance
The Queensland Agriculture Workforce Network (QAWN) assists producers and businesses to attract, train and retain workers.
| CLICK HERE |
Search for licensed labour hire companies:
Search for companies who have had their license cancelled:
TRAINING TOOLS
Plant Health Australia delivers training using a range of approaches across three categories; eLearning, tailored training and simulation exercises.
| CLICK HERE |
PERSONAL SUPPORT
ifarmwell is here to help farmers cope effectively with life’s challenges and get the most out of every day, regardless of the circumstances they face.
| CLICK HERE |
The Farmer to Lifeline Farmer support line provides tailored support from someone who knows how tough it can get – a fellow farmer.
| CLICK HERE |
This toolkit (from Worksafe QLD) provides practical tools and resources that employers, managers and leaders can use to create and maintain mentally healthy workplaces.
Provided by the National Centre for Farmer Health.
| CLICK HERE |
GRANTS AND FUNDING
Queensland (QRIDA): click here
New South Wales Rural Assistance Authority: click here
Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements Western Australia: click here
Sustainability loans: click here
At times, grants are available through the Banana Best Management Practice program. Click here to find out more.